Travel in Australia has shifted inland. Families are heading for Kangaroo Valley farmhouses instead of crowded beaches; couples are choosing Wolgan Valley cabins that trade wifi for night skies. Even Hobart’s backstreets, with their brick-and-timber conversions, are pulling more weight. Here are the properties that topped Airbnb’s awards list.
The 2025 Host Awards arrive as Airbnb faces a busier market than ever. Listings in Australia rose 5.6 per cent last year, adding to the competition between hosts.
Domestic travellers continue to dominate, making up 84 per cent of bookings, and regional towns are seeing the strongest growth. Maleny in Queensland, Esperance in Western Australia and Mollymook in New South Wales were among the most searched destinations heading into spring.
Airbnb also points to its economic footprint. Research it commissioned from Oxford Economics estimates Airbnb-related spending contributed $20.3 billion to the Australian economy in 2024, including $16 billion in guest spending.
“These award-winning stays demonstrate the powerful role Airbnb hosting plays in fostering economic opportunity and community-led tourism.” Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia.
The awards are decided using Airbnb’s internal data, guest reviews and input from a judging panel that included company executives and members of its Host Advisory Board.
Host of the Year
Braithwaite, Hobart, Tasmania
Once a bakery, now a guesthouse. Braithwaite is tucked into Sandy Bay, two kilometres from Salamanca, with its old brickwork and courtyard bath now part of the drawcard. Airbnb says Alix and John were recognised for the way they restored the heritage-listed building, combining heated bathroom floors and a compact kitchen with the character of the original structure. Guests often point to the outdoor bath and fireplace as the details that anchor the stay.
Best Design Stay
Banksia House, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Banksia House sits on Caloundra’s headland, built by a landscape architect to frame gardens and light. Airbnb says it stood out for design features that go beyond interiors: a magnesium pool, outdoor baths and courtyards linking separate living and sleeping pavilions. Raw materials and muted tones give it a grounded feel, while bocce courts and fireplaces pull it into social territory.
Best Nature Stay
Ligo, Wolgan Valley, New South Wales
In the Wolgan Valley, Ligo is a tiny house set against Blue Mountains escarpments. Airbnb says it was chosen for its off-grid approach – passive heating and cooling, reclaimed materials – and the way it puts the landscape front and centre. Guests highlight the outdoor bath under open skies and the absence of screens as part of the appeal.
Best Family Friendly Stay
Sassafras Country Retreat, Southern Highlands, NSW
Two hours from Sydney, Sassafras is a five-bedroom farmhouse set on a 98-acre estate. Airbnb says it won for being built with families in mind – a bunk room, toys, walking trails and fire pits, but also a galley kitchen and sandstone fireplace for adults to gather around. The scale makes it practical for groups while still feeling like a homestead.
“A phenomenal nature-based retreat created by a family, for families who crave an unplugged, nature-connected escape. It’s less beachy-fun and more soulful-reconnection,” judge Sarah Huang said.
Best New Host
The Nook, Adelaide, South Australia
Erin and Rory launched The Nook this year, a studio cottage in the Adelaide Hills. Airbnb says the pair were recognised for their balance of affordability and thoughtful touches: a private patio, a fireplace, and details that have already earned strong guest reviews.
Best Room Stay
Short Stay Made Simple, Sydney, New South Wales
Caroline and Daniel’s Short Stay Made Simple is an upstairs room in their Sydney home. Airbnb says it won for clarity of offer – queen bed, private bathroom, access to a garden and verandah – and for small gestures like snacks and full kitchen access that guests say make the space feel more considered than its modest set-up suggests.
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